Free Macbeth Essays: Character, Language, Atmosphere and Irony :: Macbeth essays

Character, Language, Atmosphere and Irony in Macbeth What kind of people ar the characters in this maneuver? How can we decide? Characters in Shakespearean drama are judged by (i) their actions (ii) what others say of them (iii) what they themselves say in public (iv) by what they say in soliloquy, i.e. when thinking aloud or in asides . We lam to judge people by their actions and by what they say in public, notwithstanding these are not always a true reflection of the authoritative character people do not always reveal themselves to others, so we can only accept this evidence with reservation. In Macbeth we learn that Duncan has been deceived by the first Thane of Cawdor whom he considered to have been a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust yet who was guilty of treason. Again doll Macbeths words to Duncan, Act I, Sc. vi Your servants ever Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs, in compt, To practice their audit at your highness pleasure, Still to return your own , are verbalise shortly after she has decided that he will be murdered. save when they think aloud,(soliloquy), can we accept without reservation what they say. In soliloquy lies rectitude. At the same time there are different interpretations of a soliloquy, and of the tone in which it is spoken. It all depends on the readers attitude. It is a good commence to be open-minded, to attempt to look at both sides of the question, before arriving at a conclusion. Language In MacbethLanguageLanguage is made up of words and sounds it is concerned with creating effect by producing images and by placing words. It includes syntax, diction and pull down tone. Imagery involves the working of the senses, the vivid description of an odour, a melody, a ocular picture, of taste or touch. Syntax refers to the tell of words in a sentence, the length of sentences. It is associated with diction and imagination, e.g. in the use of inversion (changing the normal order of words often for emphasis), eclipses (omitting certain words) and antithesis (setting one word or judgment against another with the object of heightening the effect of what is said). Diction is the writers choice of words. The playwright may use religious terms, technical terms, dialect, or may thus far create words. He may use multi-syllabic words, or monosyllabic words. The imagery in Shakespeare has been discussed elsewhere.